The hit show, "Laverne and Shirley" debuted on television mid-season of the 1975-76 season. The duo first showed up on television on an episode of Happy Days. Laverne and Shirley was the first of three spin-offs from the long running Happy Days series. The second, Mork and Mindy, debuted in 1978, and the third, Joanie Loves Chachi, began in 1982. Laverne and Shirley was the most successful of the three, and reached the #1 slot for two seasons, even surpassing Happy Days. For the first four seasons, the setting was Milwaukee. Laverne and Shirley worked in a brewery along with neighbors (and pests) Lenny and Squiggy. Laverne's father owned a Pizza Bowl, where Laverne and Shirley often helped him out. Edna Babish, the landlord of Laverne and Shirley's appartment was also a frequent guest. And of course, "The Big Ragoo" appeared frequently.

In 1980, the entire cast moved out to California, where new characters were also introduced. Most fans will agree the show went downhill after the move. In 1983, Cindy Williams (Shirley) left the series, leaving only Laverne. The show was cancelled at the end of that season.

THE GALS

Laverne DeFazio: "Good-natured", "independant", and "tough" can all be used to describe Laverne. Laverne lives with her best friend and co-worker, Shirley Feeney. Though her mother died some years ago, her father is still around to give her a hard time.. She helps him out at his Pizza Bowl some nights, and later at his second restaurant in California, "Buffalo Bob's". A character trait of Laverne is her L. You'll always find it somewhere on her shirt, or dress, smock, ect..

Penny Marshall: Penny Marshall will always be known as the nasal-voiced secretary to Oscar Madison on "The Odd Couple", Mary's nurse neighbor in later episodes of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", and of course, as Laverne DeFazio in "Laverne and Shirley". Her brother, producer Gary Marshall has produced such shows as "The Odd Couple", as well as "Laverne and Shirley". He also created the premise for "Happy Days". In 1993, Penny Marshall returned as her "Odd Couple" role of Myrna in "The Odd Couple: Together Again". Currently, she's frequently seen on commercials for K Mart with Rosie O'Donnell.

Shirley Feeny: Shirley Feeny works with her school pal, Laverne at Shotz Brewery. Later on, she and Laverne both decide they want to try and make it in Show Biz, so they move out to Hollywood. Shirley often gets dragged into Laverne's schemes, which usually don't turn out so well.. Shirley can be described as the quieter of the two. Still, she fights for what she believes in, and certainly has her "spunky moments".

Cindy Williams: Cindy Williams wasn't a new actress when Laverne and Shirley began in 1976. Previously, she appeared in a few episodes of "Room 222", as well as "The Nanny and the Professor". During the final season of Laverne and Shirley, she left the series when she became pregnant. The show was cancelled soon after. Today, she is married to Bill Hudson.

The Rest of the Cast

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David L. Lander as Squiggy: David L. Lander will always be known as the squeaky-voiced Lenny on "Laverne and Shirley" In July 1998, to promote the show's addition to Nick at Nite, He once again teamed up with Lenny with a series of promotion spots.

Michael McKeen as Lenny: Lenny and Squiggy weren't part of the original cast of Laverne and Shirley. Fortunately, they were added and gave the show something extra.. annoying neighbors. Since Laverne and Shirley, Michael McKeen has appeared in numerous film and TV appearances including The Brady Bunch Movie and Saturday Night Live.

Eddie Mekka as Carmine Ragoosa: While on Laverne and Shirley, Eddie Mekka also appeared in "Blansky's Beauties", the short lived 1977 sitcom starring "Rhoda's" Ida Morgenstern. He also made an appearance in one or two "Happy Days" episodes.

Phil Foster as Frank DeFazio: Born in early 1914. Before becoming Laverne's dad, Phil Foster guest starred in a few television shows such as The Joey Bishop Show in the early 60's with Leo Durocher. He passed away two years after Laverne and Shirley ended.

Betty Garrett as Edna Babish: Betty Garrett was born in 1919. Before Laverne and Shirley she appeared in such "Big City" (1948), "On the Town" (1949), "Shadow on the Window" (1956), and numerous others. In 1971-1976, she was a regular on "All in the Family". Most recently, she appeared in the 1998 TV Movie "The Long Way Home".

MEMORABLE EPISODES

Episode 1 - "The Society Party" - Laverne and Shirley get asked to a high society party by Ted Shotz, son of the owner of Shotz Brewery. They are dismayed when they find they were only invited to keep good relations with the "lower class workers" of Shotz. As with all Happy Days spin-off pilots, Henry Winkler guest stars are The Fonz.

Episode 4 - "A Nun Story" - Laverne and Shirley are suprised to find their old school friend has become a nun, and are unsure how to act in front of her. This episode features a flashback to a slumber party the three friends had while in school.

Episode 7 - "Dog Day Blind Dates" - Laverne and Shirley go out on a bind date to the Pizza Bowl, only to find their dates blow up the bathroom and hold the girls hostage while they rob the Pizza Bowl.

Episode 12 - "Hi Neighbor" - Lenny and Squiggy move in an empty appartment in Laverne and Shirley's building.

Episode 16 - "Drive She Said" - Shirley pesters Laverne to put in half for a car she wants to buy. Laverne refuses. Shirley finds out Laverne refused because she can't drive, and attemps to teach her.

Episode 36 - "Haunted House" - Laverne and Shirley are terrified when they learn the house they are in looking for a used couch is haunted.

Episode 71 - "A Visit to the Cemetery" - Laverne is reluctant to go with her father to visit her mother's grave.

Episode 79 - "Super Market Sweep" - Laverne wins a contest for three minutes of grocery shopping. She inlists the help of Shirley. The two can get all items they get across the starting line free, but the two get a little too greedy...

Episode 85 - "Spy in my Beer" - Laverne overhears talk of an industrial spy in the brewery. She tryed to convince Shirley and others about the spy, but they don't believe her.

Episode 98 - "The 4th Annual Shotz Talent Show" - Mr. Shotz once again asks Laverne and Shirley to help with the Shotz Talent Show, and insits on a Patriotic theme

Episode 102 - "The Beatnik Show" - Shirley turns beatnik, and grows farther apart from Laverne. Laverne tries to bring her back to reality

Episode 114 - "Welcome to Burbank" - Laverne and Shirley move off to Burbank, only to find Lenny and Squiggy, her father, and Edna all decide to move to Burbank, too.

Episode 118 - "The Dating Game" - Lenny and Squiggy get the chance to appear on The Dating Game..suprisingly, Squiggy wins.

Episode 124 - "To Tell the Truth" - On a rainy day, Rhonda suggests every play Truth or Dare. Of course, this ends with everyone mad at each other.

Episode 159 - "The Note" - Laverne is heart-broken when her best pal leaves her a note that she's left to go oversea's with her husband.

Episode 178 - "Councilman DeFazio" - Laverne's dad decides to run for councilman. This is the final episode of the series.

WHEN TO WATCH "LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY"

Note: all times eastern.

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